Yes, you can clean a smelly sponge. There are a few quick and easy methods to help eliminate odors and prolong the life of your sponges. The most common causes of a smelly sponge are buildup of food particles, bacteria growth, and mildew. Regular cleaning and disinfecting can help remove these odor sources and keep your sponges fresher for longer.
Page Contents
- 1 Why Do Sponges Smell?
- 2 How to Clean a Smelly Sponge
- 3 Tips for Preventing Smelly Sponges
- 4 When to Toss Out a Sponge
- 5 Other Odor-Fighting Cleaning Tools
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions
- 6.1 Why do my new sponges start smelling so quickly?
- 6.2 Do hand washing dishes make sponges smell worse than a dishwasher?
- 6.3 Should you use bleach to clean everyday or just for deep cleaning?
- 6.4 Does putting sponges in the microwave fully sanitize them?
- 6.5 Should you wash sponges in the dishwasher?
- 7 The Bottom Line
Why Do Sponges Smell?
Sponges smell for a few key reasons:
- Food residue – Sponges are used to clean dishes, countertops, sinks and more. All of this leads to food particles getting trapped in the sponge. These food particles then rot and cause foul odors.
- Bacteria growth – The warm, moist environment of a sponge is ideal for bacteria growth. The bacteria feed on any organic matter in the sponge and then multiply, resulting in a bad smell.
- Mildew buildup – If sponges are allowed to stay damp, mildew can develop. Mildew is a type of mold that creates a musty, unpleasant smell.
The porosity and absorbent structure of a sponge makes it prone to holding onto these odor sources. With regular use, a buildup happens over time that leads to stubborn smells coming from your sponge.
How to Clean a Smelly Sponge
Here are some simple, effective methods to clean and deodorize a stinky sponge:
Baking Soda Scrub
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and mild abrasive that helps remove stuck-on grime and eliminate odors. Make a simple scrub by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with just enough water to form a paste. Scrub the smelly sponge with the baking soda paste for 2-3 minutes. Rinse well under running water.
Vinegar Soak
White vinegar is a versatile cleaning agent that can help kill bacteria and disinfect smelly sponges. Mix 1 cup white vinegar with 1 cup hot water. Place the sponge in the vinegar solution and allow it to soak for at least 15 minutes, up to overnight for very smelly sponges. Rinse thoroughly before use.
Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfection
Hydrogen peroxide is another household staple that has disinfecting abilities. Mix 2 teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup of hot water. Submerge the stinky sponge in this solution for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well and wring out excess moisture before storing or reusing.
Microwave Disinfection
The heat of a microwave can kill bacteria and help deodorize a sponge. Wet the sponge and microwave it for 1 minute. Allow to cool then rinse and wring out excess water. Never microwave a sponge that is overly dry or this can create a fire hazard.
Boil in Salt Water
Bring 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of salt to a boil. Place the sponge in the boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes to disinfect. Remove from heat, rinse and wring out excess water before reusing. The heat from boiling water kills bacteria while the salt helps draw out odors.
Lemon Juice Deodorizer
Lemon juice contains citric acid that acts as a natural odor eliminator. Squeeze lemon juice over both sides of the wet sponge and allow it to soak in for 10 minutes before rinsing clean. The fresh lemon scent also helps overwrite nasty sponge smells.
Bleach Disinfection
For extremely smelly sponges that require heavy-duty disinfection, bleach is an option. Mix 1 tablespoon of bleach into 1 gallon of water. Place the sponge in the diluted bleach solution for 1 hour. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water to prevent any bleach residue transferring to dishes. This harsher bleach method should be limited to deep-cleaning only when necessary.
Tips for Preventing Smelly Sponges
Along with knowing how to clean smelly sponges, there are also some handy tips to help prevent bad odors in the first place:
- Allow sponges to dry out completely between uses. Bacteria thrive on moisture.
- Replace kitchen sponges every 2 weeks.
- Use sponges only for their intended purpose – don’t use a dirty dish sponge for countertop cleaning.
- Clean the microwave with lemon juice or vinegar if smelly sponge was microwaved.
- Avoid cramming too many sponges into a small dish rack area.
- Rinse sponges thoroughly after each use.
- Store sponges in a dry area.
- Soak sponges weekly in a disinfecting solution.
Following these best practices for sponge care and cleaning will help minimize the chance of foul odors.
When to Toss Out a Sponge
While cleaning methods can rejuvenate a smelly sponge, sometimes a sponge is too far gone and needs to be discarded. Here are some signs it’s time to throw out a sponge:
- Sponge is falling apart – too many rips, tears or fraying
- Noticeable slime, mold or mildew visible on sponge
- Very discolored or dull appearance
- Bad odor remains after multiple cleaning attempts
- Sponge feels overly stiff and crusty
- You’ve used the sponge for more than 2 months
Replacing a sponge regularly is key to kitchen hygiene. It’s recommended to swap out old sponges for new ones every 2 weeks to 1 month for the average household.
Other Odor-Fighting Cleaning Tools
While sponges are popular cleaning tools, there are some other odor-resistant options to consider:
- Silicone scrubbers – Made of mildew-resistant silicone, these scrubbers dry out quickly.
- Nylon scrub brushes – The synthetic nylon bristles resist odors and buildup.
- Microfiber cloths – More absorbent than sponges, microfiber can be laundered to remove germs.
- Dish brushes – Look for ones with antimicrobial bristles.
- Steel wool pads – The coarse steel fibers scrub away stuck-on foods.
Experiment to see if certain odor-fighting tools work better than standard sponges for your cleaning needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my new sponges start smelling so quickly?
Even brand new sponges can start smelling within just a couple uses. The porous material soaks up food residue, grease and bacteria rapidly. Be sure to rinse sponges thoroughly after washing dishes. Consider soaking new sponges in a vinegar solution for 15 minutes before first use to help kill bacteria.
Do hand washing dishes make sponges smell worse than a dishwasher?
Hand washing dishes can create more food buildup and bacteria growth in sponges compared to using a dishwasher. The high heat of a dishwasher kills more germs. Be extra diligent about cleaning and replacing sponges that are used for hand washing.
Should you use bleach to clean everyday or just for deep cleaning?
It’s best to only use diluted bleach to deep clean extremely smelly sponges occasionally. The harsh chemicals in bleach can damage the sponge material and fade colors with frequent use. For routine cleaning, usegentler ingredients like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda instead.
Does putting sponges in the microwave fully sanitize them?
Microwaving sponges can help reduce bacteria and odor as the high heat kills germs. However, microwaving may not fully sanitize a sponge as the entire material may not heat evenly. It’s best for quick odor relief between deeper cleanings.
Should you wash sponges in the dishwasher?
You can wash natural sponges in the dishwasher occasionally to disinfect them. Avoid washing sponges with scrub pads or abrasive layers as this can damage dishware. Use the hottest dishwasher cycle and allow sponges to dry completely before reusing. Replace worn sponges rather than relying solely on the dishwasher.
The Bottom Line
It’s easy for sponges to become grimy germ magnets that give off nasty smells. But fortunately, with some simple cleaning methods using pantry staples, you can keep your sponges odor-free and lasting longer. Be diligent about thoroughly rinsing after use, allowing sponges to dry between washes, and doing a deep clean weekly. Replace worn out sponges regularly. Follow these tips, and you can have fresh, odor-free sponges that are ready to tackle any clean-up job.